Elk River Arts & Lectures presents a community discussion about Islam led by University of Montana-Billings professor Ambrin Masood, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, at Elk River Books.

As part of the Montana Conversations Program, Masood will discuss her experience of being an American, a mother, a wife, a professor and a practicing Muslim. As one of about five million Muslims living in the United States, she hopes, through this program, to expand people’s understanding of her faith and culture.

“I pray five times a day, recite Quran every morning, fast during Ramadan, recite Bismillah before I start my car, pay my zakkah,” says Masood. “But I don’t wear hijab. Am I a bad Muslim? I don’t feel so. To me Islam is not supposed to be difficult or rigid, it is not guilt, it is not fear, it is definitely not war—it’s peace—internal and external peace.”

During Masood’s visit, she will also meet with students at Sleeping Giant Middle School. This program is made possible by a grant from Humanites Montana.

The free, public event will take place upstairs at Elk River Books, 120 N Main St., in Livingston. Elk River Arts & Lectures is a non-profit organization that seeks to bring writers to Livingston for free public readings, and to provide opportunities for those writers to interact with local public school students. For more information, call 333-2330 or visit elkriverarts.org.